Jackson returned from an ankle injury, then hurt his throwing hand on Baltimore’s first offensive play. His coach said a season-ending absence is possible.
Lamar Jackson will undergo surgery on his right thumb and be placed on injured reserve, Ravens coach Jesse Minter said after Baltimore's 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The injury ended Jackson's return to action after just one offensive play.
File photo: Lamar Jackson in a 2021 appearance against Washington; not an image of his November 1, 2026 injury. Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA. Source photograph · CC BY-SA 2.0.
In the Ravens' updated injury report, Minter said the absence could potentially end Jackson's season. That possibility is significant, but it is not a confirmed season-ending timetable. The report did not establish a return date.
A different injury ends the comeback
Jackson had missed three games with an ankle injury. On Sunday's opening pass attempt, his right hand struck pass rusher Gregory Rousseau, according to the team report. He left for the sideline and locker room, later returning to the sideline with a cast on his hand.
The sequence separates two medical issues that should not be combined into one. Jackson had been cleared to return from the ankle problem; the thumb injury happened during the Bills game. His availability now depends on the new injury and the care that follows.
The depth chart changed twice
Backup Tyler Huntley also left with a toe injury, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into his NFL debut. The team's account of Fagnano's appearance said the rookie had received no first-team practice repetitions during the week.
The immediate challenge is preparation on a short turnaround. Baltimore faces Jacksonville on Thursday, November 5. Whoever takes the snaps will need a plan suited to his preparation and the available personnel, while the offensive line faces renewed scrutiny after the pressure Buffalo generated.
The postgame press-conference transcript records the team's response to the injuries. It provides a useful boundary between what coaches have confirmed and assumptions about whom Baltimore might sign or start next. This report does not present an unannounced roster move as a decision.
What comes next for Jackson
The next useful updates concern the procedure, the reserve designation and any medical timetable the team chooses to release. A possible season-ending outcome should remain described as possible unless an authorized update settles it.
Baltimore is 4-4 after Sunday's defeat. The loss matters in the standings, but Jackson's care and the preparation for Thursday are now the more immediate questions. Follow the Sports section for more coverage.
